This archive report was first published on 13 June 2020.
On a webinar hosted by the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K), world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge shared his insights on the mindset and discipline required for success. The webinar, held on Thursday night, was the last of a seven-series round of informative sessions.
With a career spanning almost two decades, Kipchoge has consistently produced impressive performances in athletics, from cross-country to marathon. His consistency has left fans worldwide wondering what drives him to achieve greatness.
According to Kipchoge, the key to his success lies in self-discipline. He emphasized that discipline is not just about following rules, but about personalizing it to drive oneself towards success. 'It is not just discipline, I have personalised it and therefore it is self-discipline because that is what drives me and has kept me in the sport for all these years,' he said.
Kipchoge noted that success is like a mountain, and most people focus on the peak rather than the foundation. He believes in good preparation and hard work, and that success is mastering what one is doing. He also emphasized the importance of overcoming obstacles and staying positive, saying, 'There is no success without obstacles and so I have embraced them and anytime I am faced with any, I take it as a lesson and learn from it.'
Revealing that last year's Ineos Challenge was the highlight of his career and missing the 2012 London Olympics his lowest, Kipchoge noted that one needs self-belief to rise above setbacks. He urged athletes to remain modest and have a properly planned calendar for the year, saying, 'You are a human being at the end of the day, so shun self-importance and the celebrity status, put previous success aside and remain consistent.'
He also encouraged upcoming athletes to rise above the ordinary, embrace technology, and think beyond performance while putting their minds and heart in what they do. 'I run with my mind and heart and not just my feet because I believe that I will be a mere shell if my mind and heart are not in it.'
Wanja echoed Kipchoge's sentiments, saying that without discipline one can never succeed.
